Kuru

“Cannibal's Tremors”

Taxonomy:

Family: Prion

infectious proteins, diseases of abnormal polymerization

OFFENSES

Attacks:

progressive spongiform encephalopathy

diffuse neuronal degenerations, especially in cerebral cortex and basal ganglia

motor disfunction: ataxia, hyperreflexivity, spasticity

progressive dementia

shivering, termors

rigidity

progressive wasting

abnormal affect

Outcome:

death, usually from starvation (not able to coordinate swallowing)

Speed:

kuru can remain latent for 4-20 years, usually remains latent in women until after menopause. 

Pathogenesis is thought to depend on a relatively low probability event so progression is slow

Among the Fore, once pathogenesis is initiated, progression to death occurs quickly, typically within a year or two

DEFENSES

Vaccines:

none

Behavioral:

elimination of cannibalism among the Fore people of the Eastern Highlands of New Guinea has eliminated kuru.  The disease was transmitted through the ingestion of or handing of infected human brain tissue.

Some theorize that cooling may have a protective effect against infection, but prions are characteristically highly stable and resistant to breakdown

Treatment:

none

POWER:  5

GAME ACTION:  you cannot move from your spot, but you can latch on to the next person who comes through this space and attack in 5 turns